[Heathkit] Opinion needed

[Tony Brock-Fisher]

Maybe the besy way to answer this question is to ask yourself, which would 
you rather have:

1.)An all-original Heathkit that was 100% functional and original, and the 
parts had not deteriorated..
2.)A Heathkit where many parts had been replaced with new parts, was 100% 
functional, and worked to spec..
3.)A Heathkit with all original parts but wasn't 100% functional due to part 
value drift...

I'd suggest that the value is in the same order; i.e. 100% original and 
functional is the most desirable. This can happen if the piece has been 
stored well  over the last 30-40 years. For example, I just went through 4 
HW-101's. Some had original resistors (carbon comp) that were all on spec, 
while another had many resistors way out and electrolytic caps that were 
dried out/shorted. The second one had obviously been stored in a damp 
environment, as the chassis and cad plated hardware was all dull/pitted; 
while the one with good parts still had nice, shiny hardware.

I guess the bottom line is if you can't be #1, you can at least go from #3 
to #2 with some new parts and a soldering iron...

-Tony, K1KP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "WØQFC" <erastber at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "heathkit" <heathkit at mailman.qth.net>; <FLBOATANCHORS at yahoogroups.com>; 
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 10:41 AM
Subject: [Heathkit] Opinion needed


I would like the collective opinion of the groups regarding restoration of
DX series (Or any other boatanchor for that matter) radios:

I have two that I want to "re-kit" and I wonder if it would change the value
of the radio if the re-kitting was done with 'modern' style resistors and
caps.

Most all of my stock of the Ohmite style (and what I have been able to
purchase) resistors are too far off value to use so I wonder about using the
newer film resistors and also the newer electrolytics.

Do you think that by using the newer parts it would decrease the value of
the restored equipment?

I am talking about a complete restoration, including a re-done front panel.

TIA

Gene, WØQFC (OK on QRZ)
Spring Hill, Florida 34606
WEB SITE:
http://www.w0qfc.com

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